Polymer Clay

Fimo and clay tips and tutorials

Earth-Friendly Ways with Polymer Clay

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I know Polymer Clay gets a bad rap on earth day, so do cars, but most of us drive one. So how can you be green and a polymer clay artist and make sure that your use of polymer clay is good for the environment?

Reuse, reduce and recycle – clay that is!

  • There shouldn’t be any waste in your polymer clay studio. All raw clay can be reused. I sort my scraps by color when I’m working and either use them for organic-looking canes or mix them together for new colors.  (Keep your clay covered to protect it from dust and stray hairs.)
  • Mud? What happens if you mix too many colors and end up with something that looks unmentionable? Fear not, that clay can be used for the base clay in your projects, cover it with canes, new clay or paint over it.
  • All my ugly beads and projects end up in the hands of my children who use them in their own creations. Have a pile of beads you aren’t going to use? Donate them to a local classroom or Sunday School teacher.
  • Be safe – cook your clay in a clay-dedicated toaster oven, in a well-ventilated room. Never burn your clay. Wash your hands thoroughly after working with clay or wear rubber gloves.
  • And hey, who hasn’t covered an altoid tin with polymer clay – that’s green baby, all the way! You took trash and made it into something useful and beautiful.

Polymer clay crafters have been repurposing household items and cast-offs by decorating with with polymer clay for years and years! They give these items a new life and that means less stuff in landfills.

More earth day polymer clay posts:

Earth Day & Polymer Clay – at Polymer Clay Daily.

Polymer Clay Safety – from Judy Dunn.

Looking for more polymer clay texture tools? Check these out on Amazon.

Comments

  1. Heather,

    Great stuff! Thanks for posting these ideas. Rings & Things is always looking for ways to promote “greenness” in the bead/craft world, and you’ve just given us a nice bunch of new ideas.

    Keep up the good work!

    –Dave

Have you read?

DIY Doily Pinch Bowl Set with Matching Platter

There’s something so satisfying about creating a whole handmade set that feels like it belongs together. After experimenting with my grandmother’s doilies on flat slabs of clay, I wanted to see how they would look when pressed onto a curved form. That’s how this set of three doily pinch bowls was born—each one textured on the outside with lace, glazed in soft tones, and displayed together on a matching pink speckled doily platter.

It’s a beautiful way to combine sentimental textiles with modern pottery design. The finished set makes a charming serving arrangement for nibbles, dips, or trinkets, and it doubles as a decorative centerpiece when not in use.

Materials You’ll Need

  • White pottery clay (stoneware or porcelain) 
  • Rolling pin 
  • Crochet doily (preferably a smaller one for consistent texture) 
  • Sponge and water 
  • Small bowls or your hands (to form the pinch bowls) 
  • Knife or clay cutter 
  • Plastic wrap 
  • Kiln access (or community pottery studio) 
  • White glaze 
  • Pink speckled glaze (or white glaze with pink oxide) 

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Prepare the Clay

Cut your clay into three equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball about the size of a small orange.

Step 2: Form the Pinch Bowls

Using your thumbs, gently press into the center of each clay ball and pinch outward, rotating as you go, until you form small bowl shapes. Keep the walls fairly even, but don’t worry about perfection—pinch bowls are meant to have a rustic, organic charm.

Step 3: Press the Doily Texture

Drape a crochet doily around the outside of each bowl. Gently press it into the surface with your fingers or a rolling pin. Carefully peel it back to reveal the lace impression. Each bowl will carry the delicate detail of the doily, almost like a frozen textile pattern.

Step 4: Refine the Shape

Smooth the rims with a damp sponge, rounding off any sharp edges. Leave the outside textured, but clean up the insides of the bowls so they’re smooth for glazing.

Step 5: Dry and Fire

Let the bowls dry slowly until bone dry. Bisque fire them with the platter if you’re making the full set together.

Step 6: Glaze and Finish

For a cohesive look, glaze the pinch bowls in soft white or cream, allowing the doily texture to stand out. Place them on the matching pink speckled doily platter (created using the earlier technique) for a complete serving set.

Styling Ideas

  • Serving Set: Use the three bowls for nuts, olives, and dips when entertaining. 
  • Jewelry Dishes: Perfect for holding rings, bracelets, and earrings on your dresser. 
  • Decorative Accent: Place them on the platter as a centerpiece with seasonal décor inside (dried flowers, crystals, or potpourri). 
  • Gift Idea: Wrap the full set as a handmade, one-of-a-kind present for weddings or housewarmings. 

Why I Love This Project

These bowls carry a story. The lace impressions remind me of my grandmother’s hand-crocheted doilies, yet the final design feels fresh and modern. Displayed together on the platter, they become more than functional—they’re a handmade heirloom set that blends memory with everyday beauty.